Data processor and control system

ABSTRACT

Provided are a data processor, and a control system, in which an interrupt controller and an event link controller are adopted. The event link controller responds to a generated event signal to output a start control signal for controlling start of an operation of a circuit module. The circuit module is able to generate an event signal. The event link controller generates the start control signal according to the correspondences between event signals and start control signals which are defined by event control information. The links between the event signals and start control signals can be prescribed by the event control information. Therefore, operations of circuit modules prescribed by such links can be controlled sequentially. The control neither involves save and return processes by CPU as in the interrupt processing, nor needs priority level control as executed on competing interrupt requests.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The Present application claims priority from Japanese application JP2007-058574 filed on Mar. 8, 2007 and JP 2008-14397 filed on Jan. 25,2008, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into thisapplication.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a control technique for responding toan event which takes place inside or outside a data processor, which isuseful for application to e.g. a microcomputer in a single chip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There has been an interrupt control technique as one of controltechniques for responding to an event which takes place inside oroutside a data processor. In interrupt control, when various kinds ofcauses of interrupt arise, an interrupt controller controls theiracceptance according to the priority levels and interrupt mask levels.Then, the controller identifies the accepted cause of interrupt, andrequests an interruption of a central processing unit. When havingreceived the request for interruption, the central processing unitperforms a process for saving the last sates of an internal register andothers into a memory, and then fetches a vector depending on the causeof interrupt, and runs an fetched interrupt-processing program. Asdescribed above, arbitration by the interrupt controller and the saveprocess by the central processing unit are required between theoccurrence of a cause of interrupt and the execution of a process torespond to the cause of interrupt, and therefore it takes time untilinterrupt processing is started. In addition, frequent occurrences ofsuch interrupt process increase the load on the central processing unit.

In search for publicly known examples after the invention was made, thefollowing patent documents were found. One of them, JP-A-7-105124,discloses that it is made possible to offer all of interrupt requestsources an opportunity to execute interruption equally by adoption of aset of interrupt request arbiter circuits connected in an annular formso that the priority of interrupt can be shifted. Further, JP-A-64-55667discloses that interrupt-processing units connected in the form of adaisy chain are arranged so that they can judge in advance whether theirown interrupt requests have been authorized or not when receiving directinputs of interrupt-authorizing signal and interrupt acceptance levelsignal from the central processing unit, whereby the judgment concerningwhether interrupt is permitted or not can be speeded up.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A conventional interrupt control technique has been insufficient fromthe viewpoints of speed-up of data processing and the reduction in loadon a central processing unit, and it still has a problem that theefficiency of data processing of a system remains lowered on the whole.Particularly, as for a data processor for built-in control, a sequentialcontrol operation such that a desired control operation is materializedwhile executing interrupt processes one after another in time sequencein the order of occurrence of events is repeated in many cases. Further,it may be desired to execute two or more control operations in parallel.As a result of considering such characteristics of a data processor, theinventor found the usefulness of prescribing a combination of essentialperipheral circuits and the order of operations of the peripheralcircuits according to the detail of required processing and controllinga process of responding to an event.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a technique forcontrolling a response to an event, which can contribute to speed-up ofdata processing and reduction of load on a central processing unit.

It is another object of the invention to provide a data processor whichcan increase the efficiency of data processing of a whole systeminvolved in controlling response to an event in application of in-devicecontrol.

The above and other objects of the invention and its novel features willbe apparent from the description hereof and the accompanying drawings.

The preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed therein will bedescribed below in brief outline.

According to the invention, an event link controller is adopted inaddition to an interrupt controller, which outputs, to a circuit module,a signal for controlling start of an operation of the circuit module inresponse to a generated event signal. The circuit module can generate anevent signal. The event link controller generates a start control signalaccording to the correspondences between event signals and start controlsignals defined by event control information. Thus, links between eventsignals and start control signals can be prescribed by the event controlinformation, and therefore operations of two or more circuit modules,which are prescribed by the links can be controlled sequentially. Suchcontrol neither involves save and return processes by a centralprocessing unit as in the interrupt processing, nor needs anintervention of the control such as priority level control executed oncompeting interrupt requests.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a microcomputer inassociation with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing interrupt control by the interruptcontroller and start control of circuit modules by the event linkcontroller conceptually;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing concrete examples of principaloperations of the circuit modules specified by the start control signal;

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing principal concrete examples of eventsignals output by the circuit modules;

FIG. 5 is an illustration showing examples of the relation of linksbetween event signals and start control signals;

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing an example of the method ofcontrolling the event link according to event control information;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another example of the structure ofthe event link controller;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of a portion of theevent link controller connected to the analog-to-digital converter andtimer as a more concrete example of the structure of the controller;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the structure of a portion of theevent link controller connected to the I/O port as an a still moreconcrete example of the structure of the controller;

FIG. 10 is an illustration for explanation of an operation, showing, asan example, a data input operation by the I/O port when start of thedata input operation is directed;

FIG. 11 is an illustration for explanation of an operation, showing, asan example, a data output operation by the I/O port when start of thedata output operation is directed;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of assistance in explaining an example ofgrouping of I/O data bits of the I/O port;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the case where CPU runs a firstprogram thereby to perform a particular process using two or morecircuit modules as an concrete example of a series of links between theoccurrence of events and the start of operations;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the case of coping with individualevent signals by means of interrupt processing as a comparative example;

FIG. 15 is a timing chart for comparison in processing time between theprocessing in response to each interruption and processing according toan event link technique;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of assistance in explaining the operation ofbit rotation output by the I/O port;

FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing an example of the bit rotation outputoperation by the I/O port;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of application to anoperation including measuring a temperature at fixed intervals andcommunicating the result of the measurement to the outside through abus;

FIG. 19 is a timing chart of the operation shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the control flow of the operation includingthe measurement and communication according to the event link method;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing, as a comparative example, the controlflow when the control shown with reference to FIG. 20 is all performedby means of interrupt processing;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an example of application to the casewhere a value gained by measurement of an input voltage is representedin three digits by dynamic lighting;

FIG. 23 is a timing chart of the operation of the dynamic lightingdescribed with reference to FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the control flow of the operationincluding the measurement and display according to the event linkmethod;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing, as a comparative example, the controlflow when the control shown with reference to FIG. 24 is all performedby means of interrupt processing;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of an operationto set the event control information;

FIG. 27 is a block diagram of an air conditioning apparatus which is anexample of a control system incorporating the microcomputer;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of theair conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 27 in detail with the focus onthe microcomputer;

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing an example of the control procedure tocontrol the room temperature according to the event control informationusing the air conditioner;

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a laundry machine as an example of acontrol system incorporating the microcomputer;

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing, in detail, an example of a controlsystem of the laundry machine shown in FIG. 30 with the focus on themicrocomputer;

FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing an example of the input controlprocedure of the laundry machine according to the event controlinformation; and

FIG. 33 is a flow chart showing an example of the control procedure formode control according to the event control information and an exampleof the control procedure for displaying a remaining time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 1. Summary of thePreferred Embodiments

First, the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed herein willbe described in outline. In the description of the preferredembodiments, the reference characters or signs to refer to the drawings,which are accompanied with paired round brackets, only exemplify whatthe concepts of components referred to by the characters or signscontain.

[1] A data processor in association with a preferred embodiment of theinvention has: a central processing unit which executes an instruction;circuit modules used by the central processing unit; an interruptcontroller which makes a request for interruption to the centralprocessing unit in response to a generated event signal; and an eventlink controller which outputs a start-of-operation control signal toeach circuit module in response to a generated event signal. In the dataprocessor, each circuit module can produce the event signal. The eventlink controller has a rewritable memory circuit. The memory circuit isused to store event control information for determining a start controlsignal to be output in response to the event signal. Thus, links betweenevent signals and start control signals can be prescribed by the eventcontrol information, and therefore operations of two or more circuitmodules, which are prescribed by the links can be controlledsequentially. Such control neither involves save and return processes bya central processing unit as in the interrupt processing, nor needs anintervention of the control such as priority level control executed oncompeting interrupt requests. Hence, the invention can contribute tospeed-up of data processing and reduction of the load on the centralprocessing unit, and thus can increase the efficiency of data processingof the system on the whole. Further specifically, the following arematerialized by the invention: to parallelize processes to respectivelyrespond to two or more events; to speed up response to occurrence of anevent; and to reduce the load on CPU when responding to occurrence of anevent.

In a specific form, the event control information is information whichspecifies correspondences between the event signals and circuit modulesvariably and specifies selective operations for the circuit modulesvariably. In the case where each circuit module has two or moreoperation forms, the event control information which prescribescorrespondences between the event signals and start control signals canbe formed hierarchically.

In another specific form, the data processor has a nonvolatile memorycircuit for rewritably holding the event control information, in whichthe memory circuit of the event link controller is a register into whichthe event control information is loaded from the nonvolatile memorycircuit. This facilitates initial setting of event control informatione.g. at the time of power-on reset. As the event control information isrewritable, it becomes easier to adopt event control information whichfits the configuration of a system to which the data processor isapplied.

In another specific form, the interrupt controller and event linkcontroller each have an event enable register for holding informationfor deciding whether the event signal input thereto is enabled ordisabled. When the interrupt controller and event link controller use acommon event signal, the contention can be avoided readily.

In another specific form, the data processor has, as one of the circuitmodules, a timer operable to execute a count operation, a compare-matchoperation, and an input capture operation. The event link controller canoutputs a start control signal for starting any one of the countoperation, compare-match operation and input capture operation accordingto the event control information. In response to occurrence of any oneof overflow or underflow owing to the count operation, compare match andinput capture, the timer can produce an event signal correspondingthereto. This form is adaptable to both the interrupt controller andevent link controller without adopting a special configuration for thetimer.

In another specific form, the data processor has, as one of the circuitmodules, an analog-to-digital converter with analog-to-digitalconversion channels for converting an analog signal into a digitalsignal. The event link controller can output a start control signal foractivating one of the analog-to-digital conversion channels according tothe event control information. In response to completion ofanalog-to-digital conversion, the analog-to-digital converter cangenerate an event signal corresponding thereto. This form is adaptableto both the interrupt controller and event link controller withoutadopting a special configuration for the analog-to-digital converter.

In another specific form, the data processor has, as one of the circuitmodules, a digital-to-analog converter with digital-to-analog conversionchannels for converting a digital signal into an analog signal. Theevent link controller can output a start control signal for activatingone of the digital-to-analog conversion channels according to the eventcontrol information. This form is adaptable to both the interruptcontroller and event link controller without adopting a specialconfiguration for the digital-to-analog converter.

<<Event Input from the Outside>>

In another specific form, the data processor has, as one of the circuitmodules, a plurality of external interface ports. In response to changein input state of an external signal input to a given external terminalfrom the outside of the data processor, each external interface port cangenerate an event signal corresponding thereto. This makes it possibleto input an event signal from the outside of the data processor.

<<Output of an Event to the Outside>>

In another specific form, the event link controller can output a startcontrol signal for outputting an event signal output by each circuitmodule through a given external terminal to the outside of the dataprocessor, to each external interface port according to the eventcontrol information. This makes it possible to output an event signalgenerated inside the data processor to the outside of the dataprocessor.

<<Port Input by Event Synchronization>>

In another specific form, the data processor has, as one of the circuitmodules, an external interface port connected to an external terminal ofthe data processor and operable to perform input and output operations.The external interface port has an interface register used to storeinput and output information. The event link controller can output astart control signal for outputting information in the interfaceregister through an external terminal to the outside of the dataprocessor, to an external interface port according to the event controlinformation. This enables execution of a port input operation to anexternal interface port in synchronization with an event signal.

<<Port Output by Event Synchronization>>

In still another specific form, the event link controller can output astart control signal for inputting information supplied to an externalterminal from the outside of the data processor to the interfaceregister, to the external interface port according to the event controlinformation. This makes it possible to perform a port output operationto an external interface port in synchronization with an event signal.

<<Link between Event Generation and Operation Start>>

In another specific form, on receipt of a first event signal from firstone of the circuit modules, the event link controller outputs a startcontrol signal for causing second one of the circuit modules to performa given operation. On receipt of a second event signal from the secondcircuit module, the event link controller outputs a start control signalfor causing third one of the circuit modules to perform a givenoperation. By a content of description included in the event controlinformation, generation of an event can be linked to activation of eachcircuit module readily.

As one example of that, the following arrangement may be made. That is,on receipt of a first event signal from first one of the circuitmodules, the event link controller may output a first start controlsignal for causing second one of the circuit modules to transfer data tothird one of the circuit modules. Further, on receipt of a second eventsignal produced in response to completion of the data transfer from thesecond circuit module, the event link controller may output a secondstart control signal for causing third one of the circuit modules tooutput the data outside.

<<Bit Rotation Output>>

In a specific example of this form, the first circuit module is a timer,the second circuit module is a data transfer control circuit, and thethird circuit module is an external interface port. In this case, thefirst event signal is a signal generated in response to the time-out ofthe timer. The second event signal is a signal generated in response tocompletion of data transfer. By application of the arrangement likethis, parallel outputs of data can be materialized by bit rotationperiodically. For instance, the event link controller repeats output ofthe first start control signal and output of the second start controlsignal in turn. In addition, the data transfer control circuit switchesdata targeted for transfer cyclically in turn each time output of thefirst start control signal is repeated. Further, the external interfaceport outputs parallel data changing in a toggling style outside whilechanging their bit position in turn each time output of the second startcontrol signal is repeated. The bit rotation output like this isapplicable to e.g. two or more scan enable signals for key scan.

In another example, the first circuit module is an external inputinterface circuit; the second circuit module is a data transfer controlcircuit; the third circuit module is an external output interfacecircuit; the first event signal is a signal generated in response tocompletion of an input operation; and the second event signal is asignal generated in response to completion of data transfer. The linkbetween event generation and start operation like this can readilymaterialize a sequence of operations linked one another, such asconverting the result of measurements of e.g. a temperature by use of anexternal input interface such as an analog-to-digital converter, andthen outputting the resultant digital data through an external outputinterface circuit such as a communication port to a display device,control device and the like, which are located in the outside.

[2] A data processor according to another aspect of the invention has: acentral processing unit which executes an instruction; circuit modulesused by the central processing unit; an interrupt controller which makesa request for interruption to the central processing unit in response toa generated event signal; and an event link controller which outputs astart-of-operation control signal to each circuit module in response toa generated event signal. The event link controller generates a startcontrol signal according to correspondence between the event signal andstart control signal rewritably defined in a memory circuit.

In a specific form, the memory circuit is a register which the centralprocessing unit can access, and whose initial setting is performed bypower-on reset of the data processor.

[3] A data processor according to still another aspect of the inventionhas: a central processing unit which executes an instruction; and firstto third internal circuits controlled by the central processing unit.The first internal circuit is an interrupt controller which responds toan event signal supplied by the second or third internal circuit andoutputs an interrupt request signal to the central processing unit. Thesecond internal circuit is an event link controller which responds to anevent signal supplied by the first or third internal circuit, andoutputs a start control signal to the third internal circuit. Theprocessings to respectively respond to two or more events can beparallelized because the data processor has the event link controller.In the response to occurrence of an event, the event link controller isfaster than the interrupt controller. This is because the processes ofsaving and returning the content of a set of registers in the centralprocessing unit are not needed. Further, it becomes possible to reducein load on CPU in responding to occurrence of an event.

In a specific form, the event link controller has a memory circuit forrewritably holding event control information which defines a startcontrol signal corresponding to the event signal. It becomes possible toprogrammably set the procedure of processing by use of the event linkcontroller.

In a further specific form, when an event signal is supplied to theevent link controller, the event link controller refers to the eventcontrol information kept in the memory circuit, and outputs a startcontrol signal corresponding to the event signal. The event linkcontroller can control generation of required start control signal by asimple processing such as making reference to the memory circuit.

[4] A control system in association with a preferred embodiment of theinvention has: a sensor; a data processor which performs data processingon receipt of an output of the sensor; and a controlled circuit which iscontrolled in operation based on an output of the data processor. Thedata processor has a central processing unit which executes aninstruction, and a first internal circuit, a second internal circuit andthird internal circuits under control of the central processing unit.The first internal circuit is an interrupt controller which responds toan event signal supplied by the second internal circuit or one of thethird internal circuits and outputs an interrupt request signal to thecentral processing unit. The second internal circuit is an event linkcontroller which responds to an event signal supplied by the firstinternal circuit or one of the third internal circuits and outputs astart control signal for another one of the third internal circuits. Thethird internal circuits contain a timer, an analog-to-digital converter,a RAM, a data transfer control circuit and an external interfacecircuit. The timer outputs first and second event signals at differentintervals respectively. The analog-to-digital converter outputs a thirdevent signal on completing analog-to-digital conversion. The datatransfer control circuit outputs a fourth event signal on completingdata transfer. The event link controller responds to the first eventsignal, and outputs a start control signal for causing theanalog-to-digital converter to perform analog-to-digital conversion of asignal output by the sensor. Further, the event link controller respondsto the third event signal, and outputs a start control signal forcausing the data transfer control circuit to transfer a result of theconversion by the analog-to-digital converter to the RAM. Also, theevent link controller responds to the fourth event signal, and outputs,to an interrupt controller, a start control signal for directing thecentral processing unit to produce control data by use of data of theconversion result on the RAM and to store the control data in the RAM,and in parallel outputs a start control signal for causing the datatransfer control circuit to transfer the control data on the RAM to theexternal interface circuit, and causing the external interface circuitto output the control data thus transferred to the controlled circuit.Further, the event link controller responds to the second event signal,and outputs a start control signal for causing the data transfer controlcircuit to transfer the result-of-conversion data on the RAM to theexternal interface circuit and causing the external interface circuit tooutput the result-of-conversion data thus transferred, to the controlledcircuit.

As both the interrupt controller and the event link controller areadopted, the following are made possible in the process includingacquiring detection signals from a sensor, producing control data basedon the acquired signals, and supplying the produced control data: toparallelize the processes to respond to two or more events; to speed upthe response to occurrence of an event; and to reduce the load on CPU inresponding to occurrence of an event. Therefore, the efficiency of dataprocessing of the system can be increased on the whole.

In a specific form, the controlled circuit includes a display deviceusing the first control data as display data, and a controller using theresult-of-conversion data.

In a specific form, the sensor is a temperature sensor, the firstcontrol data is temperature-indication data, and theresult-of-conversion data is measured temperature data.

Further, in a specific form, the temperature sensor includes a roomtemperature sensor of an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and atemperature sensor of a heat exchanger, the temperature-indication dataare temperature-indication data of a room temperature, and the measuredtemperature data are supplied to a controller for producing drive datafor the air conditioner outdoor unit.

[5] A control system according to another aspect of the invention has: asensor; a data processor which performs data processing on receipt of anoutput of the sensor; and a controlled circuit which is controlled inoperation based on an output of the data processor. The data processorhas a central processing unit which executes an instruction, and a firstinternal circuit, a second internal circuit and third internal circuitsunder control of the central processing unit. The first internal circuitis an interrupt controller which responds to an event signal supplied bythe second internal circuit or one of the third internal circuits andoutputs an interrupt request signal to the central processing unit. Thesecond internal circuit is an event link controller which responds to anevent signal supplied by the first internal circuit or one of the thirdinternal circuits and outputs a start control signal for another one ofthe third internal circuits. The third internal circuits contain atimer, a RAM, a data transfer control circuit and an external interfacecircuit. The timer outputs first and second event signals at differentintervals respectively. The external interface circuit outputs a thirdevent signal on completing data input from outside. The data transfercontrol circuit outputs a fourth event signal on completing datatransfer. The event link controller responds to the third event signal,and outputs a start control signal for causing the data transfer controlcircuit to transfer data input from the sensor to the external interfacecircuit to the RAM in order to store, in the RAM, data input from thesensor to the external interface circuit. The event link controllerresponds to the fourth event signal, and outputs, to the interruptcontroller, a start control signal for directing the central processingunit to produce first control data by use of data on RAM and to transferthe first control data to the external interface circuit, and inparallel for directing the central processing unit to produce secondcontrol data by use of a count value of the timer and store the secondcontrol data in the RAM. The event link controller responds to the firstevent signal, and outputs a start control signal for causing the datatransfer control circuit to transfer the second control data on the RAMto the external interface circuit, and to output, to the controlledcircuit, the second control data thus transferred. The event linkcontroller responds to the second event signal, and outputs a startcontrol signal for causing the external interface circuit to output thetransferred first control data to the controlled circuit.

As both the interrupt controller and the event link controller areadopted, the following are made possible in the process includingacquiring detection signals from a sensor, producing control data basedon the acquired signals, and supplying the produced control data: toparallelize the processes to respond to two or more events; to speed upthe response to occurrence of an event; and to reduce the load on CPU inresponding to occurrence of an event. Therefore, the efficiency of dataprocessing of the system can be increased on the whole.

In a specific form, the controlled circuit contains a display deviceusing the first control data as display data, and a drive circuit usingthe second control data as drive data.

Further, in a specific form, the data is rotation angle data of a motor,the first control data is accumulated time data, and the second controldata is motor drive data.

[6] A control system according to another aspect of the invention has: akey input device; a data processor which receives an output of the keyinput device to perform data processing; and a controlled circuit whoseoperation mode is controlled based on an output of the data processor.The data processor has a central processing unit which executes aninstruction, and a first internal circuit, a second internal circuit andthird internal circuits under control of the central processing unit.The first internal circuit is an interrupt controller which responds toan event signal supplied by the second internal circuit or one of thethird internal circuits and outputs an interrupt request signal to thecentral processing unit. The second internal circuit is an event linkcontroller which responds to an event signal supplied by the firstinternal circuit or one of the third internal circuits and outputs astart control signal for another one of the third internal circuits. Thethird internal circuits contain a timer, a RAM, a data transfer controlcircuit and an external interface circuit. The timer outputs a firstevent signal at given intervals. The external interface circuit outputsa second event signal on completing data input from outside. The datatransfer control circuit outputs a third event signal on completing datatransfer. The event link controller responds to the first event signal,and outputs a start control signal for causing the data transfer controlcircuit to transfer key scan data to the external interface circuit andcausing the external interface circuit to output the transferred keyscan data to the key input device. The event link controller responds tothe second event signal, and outputs a start control signal for causingthe data transfer control circuit to transfer the key input data of theexternal interface circuit to the RAM. The event link controllerresponds to the third event signal, and outputs, to the interruptcontroller, a start control signal for causing the central processingunit to judge input data by use of the key input data of the RAM, andcausing the external interface circuit to output a result of thejudgment to the controlled circuit. Thus, adoption of the interruptcontroller and event link controller can increase the efficiency of dataprocessing in key input control.

2. Further Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Now, the preferred embodiments will be explained further. The best formsfor carrying out the invention is described below in detail withreference to the drawings. It is noted that in all the drawings forexplaining the best mode carrying out the invention, the members havingidentical functions are identified by the same reference numeral, andthe repeated description thereof is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a microcomputer according to anembodiment of the invention is shown. The microcomputer (MCU) 1 has: acentral processing unit (CPU) 2 which executes an instruction; a datatransfer controller (DTC, which is also referred to as “data transfercontrol circuit) 3; a RAM 4; a flash memory (FLASH) 5; and an event linkcontroller (ELC) 6. These circuits are commonly connected to an internalbus (IBUS) 7; the internal bus 7 is connected through a bus statecontroller (BSC) 10 to a peripheral bus (PBUS) 11. However, theinvention is not so limited particularly. To the peripheral bus 11 areconnected: an interrupt controller (INTO) 13; an analog-to-digitalconverter (A/D) 14 for converting an analog signal into a digitalsignal; a digital-to-analog converter (D/A) 15 for converting a digitalsignal into an analog signal; a serial communication interface circuit(SCI) 16; a timer (TMR) 17; I/O ports (PRT0 to PRT5) 18 to 23; and othercircuit (MDL) 24. The analog input of the analog-to-digital converterA/D 14 and the analog output of the digital-to-analog converter D/A 15can be interfaced outside the microcomputer 1 through the I/O ports 18to 23. On receipt of a reset signal RES or a mode signal MD as an input,the system controller (SYSC) 25 decides the operation mode of themicrocomputer. RAM 4 holds a work area of CPU 2, and FLASH 5 holds aprogram and data of CPU 2 rewritably.

The data transfer controller 3, analog-to-digital converter 14,digital-to-analog converter 15, serial communication interface circuit16, timer 17, I/O ports 22 and 23, and other circuit 24 output an eventsignal EVT according to the working or internal state, etc. However, theinvention is not so limited particularly. The event signal EVT issupplied to the interrupt controller 13. In the drawing, the route forthe supply is not shown graphically. The interrupt controller 13 judgesthe input event signal EVT in interrupt priority level and interruptmask level, and issues an interrupt request signal IRQ to allow thecentral processing unit 2 to execute interrupt processing for respondingto the event. On the other hand, the event signal EVT is supplied to theevent link controller 6. The event link controller 6 holds in a register30 event control information ECI which defines the correspondencebetween the event signals EVT and start control signals STR. Whenreceiving a supply of the event signal EVT, the event link controller 6outputs the start control signal STR corresponding to the event signalEVT according to the event control information ECI. The source of theevent signal EVT and the destination of the start control signal STR maybe the same circuit module, or different circuit modules, and theircorrespondences are defined by the event control information ECI. Theinterrupt controller 13 can output the event signal EVT to the eventlink controller 6 depending on its working state. However, the inventionis not so limited particularly. Now, it is noted that circuits whichoutput the event signal EVT and receive an input of the start controlsignal STR are also generically referred to as “circuit modules” for thesake of convenience.

The flash memory 5 has a memory region 31 for rewritably holding theevent control information ECI. The event control information ECI isloaded into the register 30 of the event link controller 6 from thememory region 31. For instance, the CPU 2 transfers the event controlinformation ECI from the memory region 31 to the register 30 to make theinitial setting according to a reset exception handling at the time ofpower-on reset. After that, the CPU 2 may rewrite the event controlinformation ECI. Because the memory region 31 is rewritable, requiredevent control information ECI can be easily set according to theconfiguration of a system to which the microcomputer 1 is applied.

The interrupt controller 13 has an event enable register 32 for holdinginformation ENBI to decide whether an input event signal is enabled ordisabled. The event link controller 6 has an event enable register 33for holding information ENBE to decide whether an input event signal isenabled or disabled. The registers 32 and 33 are both initialized by areset process, and after that the registers can be changed in setting bythe CPU 2 in a privileged mode or the like. However, the invention isnot so limited particularly. Thus, by one event signal EVT, interruptcontrol by the interrupt controller 13 and start control of a circuitmodule by the event link controller 6 may be caused in an alternativeway, or otherwise the control by which both the interrupt control andstart control are caused in parallel may be performed. As a matter ofcourse, it is needless to say that the contention between the interruptcontrol by the interrupt controller 13 and the start control of eachcircuit module by the event link controller 6 can be avoided by a commonevent signal.

Referring to FIG. 2, the interrupt control by the interrupt controller13 and start control of circuit modules by the event link controller 6are shown conceptually. The interrupt controller 13 makes a request forinterruption to the CPU 2 on receipt of an event signal EVT produced byeach circuit module (14, . . . , 24), and makes the CPU run aninterrupt-processing program corresponding to it, thereby materializinga process to respond to the event signal EVT by use of the circuitmodule. The CPU 2, which runs the interrupt-processing program PGMi,sets a start enable register of the circuit module to be operatedthereby to start the circuit module. On the other hand, when eachcircuit module produces the event signal EVT, the event link controller6 uses a start control signal STR to directly start an operation of thecircuit module to respond to the event signal EVT, whereby a process torespond to the event signal EVT is materialized. The circuit module,which receives the start control signal STR, is actuated when e.g. itsstart enable register is set by the start control signal STR. As aprocess that the event link controller 6 carries out is used to start aprocess to respond to occurrence of an event, the speed-up of responseto occurrence of an event, and the reduction in load on CPU whenresponding to occurrence of an event can be achieved. Further, itbecomes easier to make parallel processes to respond to two or moreevents respectively. When the load on CPU in responding to an event isreduced, the CPU can allocate the surplus power thus gained to the otherdata processing, and thus it becomes possible to increase the efficiencyof data processing of the whole system.

Referring to FIG. 3, concrete examples of principal operations ofcircuit modules specified by the start control signal are shown. FIG. 4shows principal concrete examples of event signals that the circuitmodules output.

The timer 17 can execute e.g. a count operation, a compare-matchoperation and an input capture operation. When receiving input of acorresponding start control signal, the timer starts the countoperation, compare-match operation, input capture operation, or thelike. Initial conditions required for the respective operations are setin a timer control register in the timer by CPU 2 at the time of initialsetting. For instance, the initial settings of the following values andtiming are made: a count-up value when the up-count operation isperformed; a counter-preset value when the down-count operation isperformed; a comparison value when the compare-match operation isperformed; and the timing to carry out a capture operation on a pulseinput, e.g. timing in synchronization with the rising edge of the pulse,timing in synchronization with the falling edge of the pulse, or timingin synchronization with both the rising and falling edges, when theinput capture operation is performed. The timer can output correspondingevent signals according to the occurrences of overflow, underflow,compare match, and input capture.

The analog-to-digital converter 14 begins analog-to-digital conversionon receipt of input of a start control signal which directs start of theconversion, and it can output an event signal at the time of completionof the analog-to-digital conversion. The digital-to-analog converter 15begins digital-to-analog conversion on receipt of input of a startcontrol signal which directs start of the conversion.

The serial communication interface circuit (SCI) 16 begins adata-sending operation to or data-receiving operation from the outsideon receipt of input of a start control signal which directs start of theoperation, and selectively outputs event signals corresponding tocompletion of the sending, completion of the receiving, sending dataempty, receive data full, transfer error, etc.

In the case where the I/O ports (PRT_OUT) 22 and 23 have been set intheir operations so that they serve as output ports, the ports 22 and 23each perform a data output operation to output a set value to anexternal terminal, or an event output operation to output an internalevent to the external terminal, on receipt of a start control signal forstarting an operation to output a signal to an external terminal. In thecase where the I/O ports (PRT_IN) 22 and 23 have been set so that theyserve as input ports, the ports 22 and 23 each perform an event inputoperation to input a change at the external terminal as an event, or adata input operation to take a change at the external terminal in itsregister. When the operations of the I/O ports 22 and 23 have been setso that the ports serve as input ports, the ports each produce an eventsignal in response to an external event input operation.

The data transfer control circuit (DTC) 3 reads transfer control datahaving a pointer structure from the RAM and starts transfer of the datain response to a transfer start control signal. Then, when completingthe data transfer, the DTC 3 outputs an event signal of completion oftransfer. The transfer control data have been previously stored in apredetermined region of the RAM depending on each data transfer channelby the CPU 2. The head address of the region for storing the transfercontrol data for each transfer channel has been set in a DTC controlregister inside the DTC by the CPU 2 at the time of initial setting.

The interrupt controller 13 can output an event signal EVT in responseof occurrence of an interrupt request to the CPU 2.

Referring to FIG. 5, examples of the relation of links between eventsignals and start control signals are shown. The circuit modules, whichoutput an event signal EVT, are listed in a direction of a column of thetable shown in the drawing, and the circuit modules, to which a startcontrol signal (start event) STR is input, are listed in a direction ofa row of the table. Also, in FIG. 5, as examples of the other circuit(MDL) 24 are shown a watchdog timer (WDT), and a timer serving as atimepiece (RTC). For instance, when a conversion operation by theanalog-to-digital converter 14 is started in response to an inputoperation of the input port (PRT_IN), a predetermined event signal EVTproduced by the input port (PRT_IN) is linked to a start control signalSTR for starting the conversion operation by the analog-to-digitalconverter (L1). To cause the output port (PRT_OUT) to start an outputoperation in response to completion of the conversion operation by theanalog-to-digital converter 14, an event signal output at the time ofcompletion of the conversion operation by the analog-to-digitalconverter 14 is linked to a start control signal STR for directing theoutput port (PRT_OUT) to execute an output operation (L2). The linkbetween a required event signal EVT and a start control signal STR,which is also referred to as “event link” simply, may be defined by theevent control information ECI. As is clear from FIG. 5, the form of linkwhich can be defined by the event control information ECI is free. Whenthe detail of data processing by the microcomputer 1 is changed, it ispossible to cope with the change by switching the event controlinformation ECI. Therefore, even when a circuit module included in themicrocomputer is changed, the event link according to any combination ofthe event signal and start control signal can be controlled by changinginformation about the link according to the event control informationECI.

Referring to FIG. 6, an example of the method of controlling the eventlink according to the event control information is shown. Here is citedthe example where the timer 17 and the I/O port 22 set to serve as aninput port (PRT_IN) are event-linked to the analog-to-digital converter14. The value “1” of the event control information ECI links an overflowevent signal EVT_OF of the timer 17 to a conversion start control signalSTR_AD for the analog-to-digital converter. The value “2” of the eventcontrol information ECI links a compare-match event signal EVT_CM of thetimer 17 to the conversion start control signal STR_AD for theanalog-to-digital converter. The value “3” of the event controlinformation ECI links an external input event signal EVT_EI depending onthe change in input at an external terminal Pi to the conversion startcontrol signal STR_AD for the analog-to-digital converter. Theanalog-to-digital converter performs conversion from an analog signalinto a digital signal on receipt of the conversion start control signalSTR_AD. Depending on which of the values 1, 2 and 3 the register 30holds as the event control information ECI, the event link decided bythe value is materialized by a selector 35. When the register holds thevalues 1 and 3, i.e. ECI=1, 3, the conversion start control signalSTR_AD for the analog-to-digital converter is output in both the casesof generation of the overflow event signal EVT_OF and generation of theexternal input event signal EVT_EI. The arrangement of the selector,register, etc. as described above makes it possible to event-link oneappropriate circuit module in response to output of event signals by twoor more circuit modules. Even when two or more circuit modules areoperated in parallel, it becomes possible to activate one appropriatecircuit module in response to generations of event signals by therespective circuit modules.

Referring to FIG. 7, another example of the structure of the event linkcontroller 6. The event link controller 6 has a multiplexer, which ishereinafter also referred to as “module select circuit” or “connectionselect circuit” (MPX) 36, and an operation select circuit (OPRSL) 37.The connection select circuit 36 accepts an input of an event signalEVT, and then decides which circuit module to be linked with the eventsignal. The operation select circuit 37 is a circuit which decides onwhich cause of start the event signal should be linked to when thecircuit module, with which a decision to establish a connection has beenmade, has two or more causes of start. The operation select circuit 37outputs one or more start control signals STR. The module select circuit36 uses a value stored in a connection set register (MDLREG) 38 in itsselect operation. The operation select circuit 37 uses a value stored inan operation set register (OPRREG) 39 in its select operation. Thesettings of the registers 38 and 39 have been made by the CPU 2previously.

Referring to FIG. 8, the structure of a portion of the event linkcontroller 6 connected to the analog-to-digital converter 14 and timer17 is shown as a more concrete example of the structure of thecontroller.

MDL0 to MDLi each denote a circuit module. EVT0 to EVTi each denote anevent signal. In the interrupt controller 13, an interrupt flag INT0 andan interrupt enable flag ENBI0 depending on a cause of interrupt EVT0are shown as examples. The interrupt enable flag ENBI0 occupies one bitof the event enable register 32. As to other causes of interrupt, theflags are arranged similarly. INTLOG denotes a logic circuit whichperforms accept-of-interrupt control to respond to an event according tothe interrupt priority level and interrupt mask level thereof.

The event link controller 6 has multiplexers (MPX) 36 a and 36 b as anexample of the forementioned connection select circuit 36. Themultiplexers 36 a and 36 b receive inputs of event signals EVT0 to EVTi,and selects, out of the input event signals, one event signal based onthe values of the connection set registers (MDLREG) 38 a and 38 b. Theoperation select circuit 37, which receives the selected signal,produces a start control signal STRa for the analog-to-digitalconversion circuit 14 based on a value of the value of the operation setregister 39, and generates start control signals STRb_1 and STRb_2 forthe timer 17. The start control signal STRa for the analog-to-digitalconversion circuit 14 sets an analog-to-digital conversion start flagADS of the start enable register. Thus, an operation ofanalog-to-digital conversion is started. The start control signalsSTRb_1 and STRb_2 for the timer 17 are supplied to a demultiplexer(DMPX) 40. In the demultiplexer 40, according to the value of the startcontrol signal STRb_2 for the timer 17, the signal STRb_1 serves todirect start of one of the operations of count start, event count andinput capture. When the direction to start the count start is selected,the count start flag CUNTS of a start enable register of the timer isset. When the direction to start the event count is selected, an eventcount start signal ECUNT is generated. When the direction to start theinput capture is selected, an input capture start signal ICAP isgenerated. TMLOG denotes a timer logic circuit which performs a timeroperation including a counter operation, compare match and inputcapture. The event enable register 33 holds information ENBE forselectively disabling the outputs of the multiplexers 36 a and 36 bdepending on its value.

Referring to FIG. 9, the structure of a portion of the event linkcontroller 6 connected to the I/O port 22 is shown as a more concreteexample of the structure of the controller.

The event link controller 6 has a multiplexer 36 c as one example of theconnection select circuit 36. The multiplexer 36 c receives inputs ofevent signals EVT0 to EVTi, and selects one out of the input eventsignals according to the value of the connection set register 38 c. Theoperation select circuit 37, which receives the selected signal,produces start control signals STRc_1 and STRc_2 for the I/O port 22based on the value of the operation set register 39. The I/O controlcircuit (IOCONT) 41 controls input and output operations of the I/O port22 based on values of the start control signals STRc_1 and STRc_2. Tothe I/O control circuit (IOCONT) 41 are connected an I/O buffer circuit,a port data register (PDR) 43, and a port data buffer register (PDBR)44. External terminals P1 to P8 are coupled to the I/O buffer circuit42. Whether the I/O port 22 is dedicated to an input operation, anoutput operation, or used for both the input and output operations, ordisabled is decided by a set value of the I/O control register (IOCREG)45. The initial setting of the register of interest is performed by theCPU 2.

In the I/O control circuit 41, the start control signals STRc_1 andSTRc_2 for the I/O port 22 are supplied to a demultiplexer (not shown).In the demultiplexer, according to the value of the start control signalSTRc_2, the signal STRc_1 serves to direct start of one of theoperations of data input, data output, external event input and eventoutput to the outside. When start of the data input operation isdirected, the data which is available via the external terminals P1 toP8 at the time of generation of the corresponding event signal are takenin the port data buffer register 44 as shown in the example of FIG. 10.When start of the data output operation is directed, data which has beenstored in the port data buffer register 44 previously are transferred tothe port data register 43 inside the port 22 and then output through theexternal terminals P1 to P8 as shown in the example of FIG. 11. Theoutput timing is synchronized with the generation of the correspondingevent signal. When start of the event input operation is directed, theport 22 receives an input of a signal via the external terminalcorresponding to a bit specified by the control register 45. Then, whenthe input state of the event input agrees with a predetermined state,the port 22 outputs the event signal EVTm to the module select circuit36 typified by the multiplexer 36 c. Thus, an external event can beinput. When start of the operation of event output to the outside isdirected, the port outputs the data toward the external terminal from agiven bit in synchronization with this. The form of data input andoutput operations is not limited as described above. The arrangement maybe made, which includes: grouping bits B1 to B8 of the I/O buffer 42,which correspond to their terminals P1 to P8, into e.g. the groups GR1,GR2, etc. according to the settings of the control register 45, as shownin the example of FIG. 12; and outputting fixed data of the logicalvalue “1” or “0” or particular pattern data in groups in response tooccurrence of an event. Otherwise, the data may be output in a togglingstyle. It is needless to say that it is possible to output a fixedsignal of the given logical value “1” or “0” from a particular singlebit in response to occurrence of an event. Also, it is possible to makethe port 22 perform external input and output operations in response todifferent event signals in groups such as the groups GR3 and GR4.

In the description presented with reference to FIG. 8, the multiplexers36 a and 36 b have been taken as examples of the circuit module selectcircuit 36, whereas the multiplexer 36 c has been taken as an example inthe description presented with reference to FIG. 9. However, theinvention is not so limited. For instance, the result of a logicalproduct of two or more input events may be used as a requirement forproducing a start control signal. Also, the order of occurrence ofevents can be added as one of requirements for producing a start controlsignal by use of a flip-flop or the like.

Referring to FIG. 13, a concrete example of a series of links betweenthe occurrence of events and the start of operations are shown. Here isexplained the case where the CPU 2 runs a first program thereby toperform a particular process using circuit modules MDL1 to MDL3. Whenbeginning the execution of the first program, the CPU 2 makes requiredinitial settings on the circuit modules MDL1 to MDL3 first, and directsthe circuit module MDL1 to start operating. At the time of completion ofa given operation, the circuit module MDL1 generates an event signalEVT_A. On receipt of this event signal, the event link controller 6sends a start control signal STR_A to the circuit module MDL2 accordingto the event control information ECI, and causes the circuit module MDL2to start operating. At the time of completion of a given operation, thecircuit module MDL2 generates an event signal EVT_B. On receipt of thisevent signal, the event link controller 6 sends a start control signalSTR_B to the circuit module MDL3 according to the event controlinformation ECI, and causes the circuit module MDL3 to start operating.At the time of completion of a given operation, the circuit module MDL3generates an event signal EVT_C. On receipt of this event signal, theinterrupt controller 13 outputs an interrupt signal IRQ to the CPU 2.The processing by the CPU 2 branches to a second program using theresult of the operation by the circuit module MDL3.

As links between event signals and start control signals can be definedby the event control information ECI in this way, the operations of thecircuit modules MDL1 to MDL3, which are restricted by the links, can becontrolled sequentially. Such control neither involves save and returnprocesses by the CPU 2 as in the interrupt processing, nor needs anintervention of the control such as priority level control executed oncompeting interrupt requests. As shown in a comparative example of FIG.14, in order to cope with individual event signals EVT_A to EVT_C bymeans of interrupt processing, the save and return processes by the CPU2 are required. Further, the control like priority level control must beperformed on competing interrupt requests until the interrupt controller13 accepts one of the interrupt requests. Therefore, as can be seen fromFIG. 15, it takes a much longer time (T2) before the transition tointerrupt processing in comparison to the time (T1) required in the caseof using the means of event link (T1<<T2). Hence, use of the event linkmethod as shown in FIG. 13 enables speed-up of data processing andreduction in load on the CPU 2, and thus the efficiency of dataprocessing by the microcomputer 1 can be increased on the whole.

Referring to FIG. 16, an example of bit rotation output by the I/O portis shown. Under the control of the CPU 2, the initial setting of thetimer 17 is made so that the timer operation is repeated until the timer17 is directed to stop the timer operation. In addition, output patterndata for bit rotation output and a transfer control condition for thedata are initially set on the RAM. When the CPU 2 directs the timer 17to start the timer operation, the timer outputs an event signal EVT_A atevery time-out. In response to the event signal EVT_A, the event linkcontroller 6 supplies a start control signal STR_A to the data transfercontrol circuit (DTC) 3 to direct the start of data transfer. The datatransfer control circuit (DTC) 3 transfers initial data from the RAM 4to the I/O port 22 according to a data transfer control condition of theRAM 4. On completion of the transfer, the data transfer control circuitgenerates an event signal EVT_B. In response to the event signal EVT_B,the event link controller 6 supplies a start control signal STR_B to theI/O port 22 (PRT4) to make the I/O port output the data in parallel. Theoperation as stated above is repeated each time the timer 17 counts up,and thus parallel data are output from the port 22 (PRT4) in every timercycle. Each time the operation is repeated, the data transferred fromthe RAM 4 to the port 22 (PRT4) by the data transfer control circuit(DTC) 3 are switched cyclically in turn. For instance, as in the exampleshown by the timing chart of FIG. 17, assuming parallel output data D1to D4 of four bits, in every timer cycle, during which the event signalEVT_A is generated, the bit position of the logical value “1” is movedto a lower position by one bit, and after having reached the position ofthe least significant bit, the position of “1” is returned to theposition of the most significant bit, and then circulated again in thesame way. The data transferred from the RAM 4 is stored in the port databuffer register (PDBR) 44. In response to generation of an event signalEVT_A, the data of the port data buffer register (PDBR) 44 istransferred to the port data register (PDR) 43 inside the port 22, andthen output through the external terminals P1 to P4. Thus, bit rotationoutput waveforms as shown in the example of FIG. 17 can be obtained. Thebit rotation output is applicable to e.g. scan enable signals for keyscan. The data transfer control circuit (DTC) 3 is not limited to astructure which can transfer data according to the data transfer controlcondition of the RAM 4. The data transfer control circuit (DTC) 3 may bearranged so as to have a plurality of registers for storing a datatransfer condition, and be able to transfer data according to theconditions set on the plurality of registers.

Referring to FIG. 18, an example of application of the invention to anoperation including measuring a temperature around (or outside) the chipand communicating the result of the measurement to an external device atfixed intervals is shown. A voltage at a terminal of the thermistor 50is input to the analog-to-digital converter 14. The result of theconversion is output through the serial communication interface circuit(SCI) 16 to the external device (EXDVC) 51. For the period of theoperation, a first timer channel TCHN1 of the timer 17 is used. What isshown in FIG. 18 is comparable to the microcomputer 1 shown in FIG. 1,however the drawing of bus connection, etc. is simplified therein. Underthe control of the CPU 2, the initial setting to make the timer 17perform the timer operation for a given time is made, and a conditionrequired for controlling data transfer is initially set on the RAM 4.When the CPU 2 directs start of the timer operation, the timer 17 usesthe timer channel TCHN1 to output an event signal EVT_A at everytime-out. In response to the event signal EVT_A, the event linkcontroller 6 sends a start control signal STR_A to the analog-to-digitalconverter (A/D) 14. Then, the converter 14 converts a terminal voltageof the thermistor 50 to a digital data, and outputs an event signalEVT_B after completion of the conversion. In response to the eventsignal EVT_B, the event link controller 6 sends a start control signalSTR_B to the data transfer control circuit (DTC) 3. The data transfercontrol circuit (DTC) 3 transfers the result-of-conversion data by theanalog-to-digital converter 14 to a data output register of serialcommunication interface circuit (SCI) 16 according to the data transfercontrol condition of the RAM 4, and outputs an event signal EVT_C aftercompletion of the transfer. The event link controller 6 sends a transferstart control signal STR_C to the serial communication interface circuit(SCI) 16, and makes the SCI 16 output the data in the data outputregister to the external device 51. After the transfer, when a requestfor interruption is made by the serial communication interface circuit(SCI) 16, the timer operation is set again, whereby the above-describedoperation is repeated. As shown in the example of FIG. 19, thisoperation is carried out in every timer cycle, and thus the externaldevice 51 can gain data of temperature measurements by the thermistor 50in every timer cycle (CYCL). This operation is terminated by the CPU 2when the CPU 2 stops the timer operation involving the timer channelTCHN1. FIG. 20 shows the control flow of the above-described operationincluding the measurement and communication by the event link method.FIG. 21 shows, as a comparative example, the control flow when thiscontrol is all performed by means of interrupt processing. Using theevent link method likewise can shorten a software processing time of theCPU 2 and reduce the load on the CPU in comparison to the interruptingmethod. In this case, the CPU 2 is allowed to execute another softwareprocess during the time of control by the event link controller. Hence,it becomes possible to take advantage of a hardware resource.

Referring to FIG. 22, an example of application to the case where avalue gained by measurement of an input voltage is represented in threedigits by dynamic lighting is shown. The reference signs TB1 to TB3 eachdenote a tri-state buffer of eight bits. Further, the reference signsDD1 to DD3 each denote a display device which uses seven segments todisplay one digit of a numeral. Data input terminals of the tri-statebuffers TB1 to TB3 are commonly connected to a 8-bit output of the port22 (PRT4). Control terminals of the tri-state buffers TB1 to TB3 areconnected to output terminals of the port PRT23 respectively. In regardto this operation, the CPU 2 makes initial settings on the port 22(PRT4) and port 23 (PRT5) so that the port 22 (PRT4) and port 23 (PRT5)are in a static output mode, in which latched data in their port dataregisters PDR are output statically. In addition, the CPU 2 sets arequired data transfer control condition and control data to be outputthrough the port 23 (PRT5) on the RAM 4 initially. After receiving adirection to start the timer operation from the CPU 2, the timer 17outputs an event signal EVT_A at the time of time-out of the timerchannel TCHN1. In response to the event signal EVT_A, the event linkcontroller 6 provides a start control signal STR_A to theanalog-to-digital converter 14. Then, the analog-to-digital converter 14converts an input voltage Vin into digital data, and after completion ofthe conversion, outputs an event signal EVT_B. In response to the eventsignal EVT_B, the interrupt controller 13 outputs an interrupt signalIRQ to the CPU 2. In response to the cause of interrupt, the CPU 2produces three digits of display data VH, VM and VL which represent thevalue of the input voltage Vin based on the data resulting from theanalog-to-digital conversion, and stores the display data in givenregions of the RAM 4. The timer cycle of the timer channel TCHN1 is e.g.500 milliseconds. When the timer channel TCHN2 reaches time-out, thetimer 17 outputs an event signal EVT_C. In response to the event signalEVT_C, the event link controller 6 provides a start control signal STR_Cto the data transfer control circuit (DTC) 3. The data transfer controlcircuit (DTC) 3 transfers display data stored in the given regions ofthe RAM 4 to the port data register of the port 22 (PRT4), according tothe data transfer control condition held in the RAM 4, and transferstri-state control data to a buffer data register of the port 23 (PRT5).While the operation is repeated in every timer cycle of the timerchannel TCHN2, the display data and tri-state control data transferredeach time are arranged so that the digit targeted for display varieseach time display is performed. For instance, as shown in the example ofFIG. 23, the display data VH of the most significant digit is displayedduring a period of time when the output control data of the terminal P20is at Low level, the display data VM of the middle significant digit isdisplayed during a period of time when the output control data of theterminal P21 is at Low level, and the display data VL of the leastsignificant digit is displayed during a period of time when the outputcontrol data of the terminal P22 is at Low level.

Referring to FIG. 24, the control flow of the operation including themeasurement and display according to the event link method is shown.FIG. 25 shows, as a comparative example, the control flow when thiscontrol is all performed by means of interrupt processing. Using theevent link method likewise can shorten a processing time of the CPU 2and reduce the load on the CPU in comparison to the interrupting method.

Referring to FIG. 26, the flow of an operation to set the event controlinformation ECI is shown. The initial setting of the event controlinformation ECI is performed by the CPU 2 in response to power-on reset.During the setting operation, an event link operation is disabled. Afterthat, the event link operation can be stopped to reset the event controlinformation ECI under the control of the CPU 2. In order to disable theevent link operation, it is sufficient to reset an enable flag ENBE ofthe register 33, i.e. to set the flag to a disable level.

Referring to FIG. 27, an air conditioning apparatus is shown as anexample of a control system equipped with the microcomputer 1. The airconditioning apparatus is primarily composed of an indoor unit (INUNT)100 placed inside a room 108 and an outdoor unit (OUTUNT) 110 placed inthe outside of the room. The indoor unit 100 and outdoor unit 110 areconnected through a coolant-circulation pipe (CRCLPIP) 121 and a serialcommunications cable (SCICBL) 120 with each other.

The indoor unit 100 has a heat exchanger 101, a blower fan 102, a heatexchanger temperature sensor 103, a room temperature sensor 104, anindoor temperature indicator 105, and a control board 106. The controlboard 106 is mounted with the microcomputer 1, a buffer and a driver,which are used for connecting the microcomputer 1 to an external device,a power-supply circuit, etc.

The outdoor unit 110 has a control board 111, a compressor 114, a heatexchanger 113, and a heat-exhausting fan 112. The control board 111 ismounted with a microcomputer 1A used as a controller, a buffer and adriver, which are used for connecting the microcomputer to an externaldevice, a power-supply circuit, etc. The microcomputer 1 may be adoptedas the microcomputer 1A.

A gaseous coolant for heat exchange is circulated through the pipe 121between the outdoor unit 110 and indoor unit 100. Further, themicrocomputers 1 and 1A communicate with each other through the serialcable 120.

Now, the control of the temperature in the room will be outlined below.The temperature-setting control of the indoor unit 100 is performedusing a remote controller, and the control information is input to themicrocomputer 1. The microcomputer 1 uses the temperature sensors 103and 104 attached to the indoor unit 100 to measure the temperatureinside the room 108 and the temperature of the heat exchanger 101, andperforms the control to make the temperature indicator 105 of the indoorunit 100 indicate the temperatures. In addition, the microcomputer 1transmits the values of a temperature set with the remote controller, aroom temperature, and the temperature of the heat exchanger to themicrocomputer 1A of the outdoor unit 110 through the serial cable 120.The microcomputer 1A controls the compressor 114 for compressing thegaseous coolant and the fan 112 for heat exhaustion based on thereceived data, thereby to control the temperature inside the room 108through the heat exchanger 113.

Referring to FIG. 28, the details of the control system is shown withthe focus on the microcomputer 1. The serial communication interfacecircuit 16 shown in the drawing includes a communication channel (SCI_1)16_1 for receiving a signal from the remote controller and acommunication channel (SCI_2) 16_2 for communicating with the outdoorunit. The analog-to-digital converter (A/D) 14 has an analog-to-digitalconversion channel for the room temperature sensor and ananalog-to-digital conversion channel for the heat exchanger temperaturesensor. As stated above, the microcomputer 1 includes the event linkcontroller 6 in addition to the interrupt controller 13. The eventcontrol information (ECI) 30_1 shown in the example of FIG. 28 definesthe relation between event signals and start control signals forcontrolling the temperature of the air conditioner, which is initiallyset e.g. in the power-on reset processing.

Referring to FIG. 29, an example of the control procedure to control thetemperature inside the room according to the event control information30 1 using the air conditioner is shown. The timer 17 generates an eventsignal EVT_1 at the intervals of 500 milliseconds and an event signalEVT_2 at the intervals of 3 milliseconds according to the initialsetting by the CPU 2.

The control of the room temperature by the air conditioner is primarilydivided into a process based on the interrupt processing of the CPU 2and a process based on event link by the event link controller (ELC) 6.

When an event signal EVT_1 is input to the event link controller (ELC)6, the analog-to-digital converter (A/D) 14 receives a start controlsignal STR_1 and converts signals output by the sensors 103 and 104 todigital form (S1). After completion of the conversion, the converter 14outputs an event signal EVT_3 (S2). When the event signal EVT_3 is inputto the event link controller (ELC) 6, the data transfer control circuit(DTC) 3 receives a start control signal STR_3 and transfers the resultof the conversion by the analog-to-digital converter (A/D) 14 to the RAM4. After completion of the conversion, the data transfer control circuit3 outputs an event signal EVT_4 (S3).

When an event signal EVT_4 is input to the event link controller (ELC)6, a request for interruption is made to the interrupt controller (INTC)13 by means of a start control signal STR_4. The interrupt controller 13responds to the interruption to send an interrupt signal IRQ to the CPU2, whereby an interrupt process corresponding to the cause of interruptis started. In the interrupt process in this case,temperature-indication data, etc. are produced based on theafter-conversion data, and the temperature-indication data thus producedare stored in the RAM together with the result-of-conversion data (S4).The result-of-conversion data stored in the RAM is transmitted throughthe communication channel SCI_2 to the microcomputer of the outdoor unit(S5). After the completion of the interrupt process, the CPU is returnedto the state just before occurrence of the interruption of question.Incidentally, the CPU may be returned from the interrupt process at thetime of completion of the processing at Step S4. In that case, theprocessing at Step S5 may be performed in response to generation ofanother event signal with respect to the event link controller (ELC) 6.For instance, a series of the following four steps may be adopted. Thefirst step includes making the CPU 2 output an event signal EVT_5 to theevent link controller (ELC) 6 at the end of the interrupt process. Thesecond step includes using a start signal STR_5 produced in response tothe event signal to cause the data transfer control circuit (DTC) 3 totransfer the result-of-conversion data to the communication channelSCI_2. The third step includes making the data transfer control circuit3 output an event signal EVT_6 to the event link controller (ELC) 6 insynchronization with the termination of the transfer. The fourth stepincludes using a start control signal STR_6 produced in response to theevent signal EVT_6 to output the result-of-conversion data through thecommunication channel SCI_2. After that, when an event signal EVT_2 isinput to the event link controller 6, the data transfer control circuit(DTC) 3 transfers the temperature-indication data of the RAM to the portdata buffer register PDBR of the port (PRT1) 19 in response to a startsignal STR_2. In synchronized with the termination of the transfer, theevent link controller 6 outputs an event signal EVT_7. On receipt of astart control signal STR_7 produced in response to the event signalEVT_7, the port (PRT1) 19 outputs temperature-indication data (S6).Likewise, when an event signal EVT_2 is input to the event linkcontroller 6, the data transfer control circuit (DTC) 3 transferssubsequent digit-indication control data on the RAM to the port databuffer register PDBR of the port (PRT2) 20 in response to a start signalSTR_8. In synchronization with the termination of the transfer, an eventsignal EVT_9 is output to the event link controller 6. On receipt of astart control signal STR_9 produced in response to the event signalEVT_9, the port (PRT2) 20 outputs a digit-indication control data (S7).The room temperature indication control at Steps S6 and S7 is classifiedinto the same type of indication control as that in the case of dynamiclighting of two or more digits as described with reference to FIGS. 22and 23.

When the data sent out by the remote controller is received by thecommunication channel SCI_1, a request for interruption is made to theCPU 2, and the received data is stored in the RAM (S8).

With the air conditioning apparatus as described above, as the eventlink controller 6 and the interrupt controller 13 are adopted, thefollowing are made possible in the process including acquiringtemperature data (result-of-conversion data) from outputs of the sensors103 and 104, producing temperature-indication data based on thistemperature data, and supplying the resulting temperature data andtemperature-indication data: to parallelize processes to respond to twoor more events; to speed up the response to occurrence of an event; andto reduce the load on the CPU 2 in responding to occurrence of an event.Therefore, the efficiency of data processing of the air conditioningapparatus can be increased on the whole.

Referring to FIG. 30, a laundry machine is shown as an example of acontrol system incorporating the microcomputer 1. The laundry machine120 has a washing tub 121, a brushless DC motor (MTR) 122, water-levelsensors 123, a control board 124, an indicator 125, an input switch 126with a key matrix (KYMTRX), a water-filling valve 128, a scupper valve129, and a cover 130. The control board 124 is mounted with themicrocomputer 1, buffers for connecting the microcomputer 1 with thesensors 123, a driver for the motor 122, a power-supply circuit, etc.

The outline of laundry control by the laundry machine 120 is as follows.Laundry conditions (including a washing time, whether dewatering isperformed or not, whether drying is performed or not, etc.) are set byuse of the switch 126. The microcomputer 1 controls the laundry stateaccording to the details thus set. Specifically, when a laundry startswitch is pushed, laundry control is started. First, the water-fillingvalve 128 is opened. When the water poured into the washing tub reachesa given water level, the valve 128 is closed, and then the motor 122starts driving and turning of the washing tub 121. Until a set time haselapsed, the motor 122 repeats forward turning and backward turning ofthe washing tub 121. During this period, the time remaining before thecompletion of laundry is displayed by the indicator 125.

Referring to FIG. 31, the details of the control system is shown withthe focus on the microcomputer 1. Two bits of the port (PRT1) 19 andport (PRT2) 20 are used for dynamic lighting of the indicator 125. Threebits of the port (PRT2) 20 are used for input of a rotor turningposition signal (STD) of the motor 122. The port (PRT3) 21 outputs adrive signal (SPND) for the motor 122. The port (PRT4) 22 outputs keyscan data (KYSCN) and receives an input of key input data (KYIPT) forthe key matrix of the input switch 126. As described above, themicrocomputer 1 includes the event link controller 6 in addition to theinterrupt controller 13. The event control information (ECI_1) 30_2shown in the example of FIG. 31 defines the relation between eventsignals and start control signals for laundry control of the laundrymachine, which is initially set by the CPU 2 or the like e.g. in thepower-on reset processing.

Referring to FIG. 32, an example of the input control procedureaccording to the event control information 30_2 is shown. According tothe initial setting by the CPU 2, the timer 17 generates an event signalEVT_11 at the intervals of 5 milliseconds.

The input control is primarily divided into a process based on theinterrupt processing of the CPU 2 and a process based on event link bythe event link controller 6.

When an event signal EVT_11 is input to the event link controller 6, thedata transfer control circuit (DTC) 3 transfers key scan data to theport data buffer register of the port PRT4 in response to a start signalSTR_11. In synchronization with the termination of the transfer, anevent signal EVT_14 is output to the event link controller 6. On receiptof a start control signal STR_14 produced in response to this, the portPRT4 outputs key scan data to the input device 126 (S11). Also, inresponse to the change of input, the port PRT4 outputs an event signalEVT_15 to the event link controller 6. On receipt of a start controlsignal STR_15 produced in response to this, the data transfer controlcircuit (DTC) 3 transfers key input data of the port PRT4 to the RAM 4(S12). After completion of transfer, the data transfer control circuit(DTC) 3 outputs an event signal EVT_16 to the event link controller 6.In response to this, the event link controller 6 issues a start controlsignal STR_16 thereby to make a request for interruption to theinterrupt controller 13. The interrupt controller 13 supplies aninterrupt signal IRQ to the CPU 2 in response to the interruption,thereby to start an interrupt process depending on the correspondingcause of interrupt. In the interrupt process in this case, the operationmode of the laundry machine is set based on the key input data stored inthe RAM 4 (S13). The laundry machine starts an operation depending onthe set operation mode.

Referring to FIG. 33, an example of the control procedure for modecontrol according to event control information 30_2 and an example ofthe control procedure for displaying a remaining time when the laundryoperation mode is specified are shown. According to the initial settingby the CPU 2, the timer 17 generates an event signal EVT_12 at theintervals of 10 milliseconds, and an event signal EVT_13 at theintervals 3 milliseconds.

In response to the change in the rotor turning position signal (PSTD)input to the port PRT2, the port PRT2 outputs an event signal EVT_17 tothe event link controller 6. On receipt of a start control signal STR_17produced in response to this, the data transfer control circuit (DTC) 3transfers a rotor turning position signal in the port PRT4 to the RAM 4(S14). After completion of the transfer, the data transfer controlcircuit (DTC) 3 further outputs an event signal EVT_18 to the event linkcontroller 6. On receipt of a start control signal STR_18 produced inresponse to this, the event link controller 6 makes a request forinterruption to the interrupt controller 13. The interrupt controller 13supplies an interrupt signal IRQ to the CPU 2 in response to theinterruption thereby to start an interrupt process depending on thecorresponding cause of interrupt. In the interrupt process in this case,the subsequent motor drive signal (SPND) is calculated based on therotor turning position signal (PSTD) stored in the RAM 4, and stored inthe port data buffer register of the port PRT3. Further, the timeremaining before completion of the laundry is calculated by the fourarithmetic operations form a value counted by the timer 17 which hasstarted measuring elapse of time from the beginning of laundry, and theresultant remaining time data is stored in the RAM 4 (S15). The laundrymachine starts an operation depending on the set operation mode. When agiven interrupt process is completed, the process by the CPU 2 isreturned to a process just before the interrupt process.

When an event signal EVT_12 is input to the event link controller 6, theport PRT3_21 receives a start control signal STR_12 produced in responseto this, and outputs a motor drive signal (SPND) in the port data bufferregister toward the motor 122 (S16).

On the other hand, when an event signal EVT_12 is input to the eventlink controller 6, the data transfer control circuit (DTC) 3 receives astart signal STR_12 produced in response to this, and transfersremaining time data on the RAM to the port data buffer register of theport (PRT1) 19. In synchronization with the termination of the transfer,the data transfer control circuit 3 is made to output an event signalEVT_19 to the event link controller 6. On receipt of a start controlsignal STR_19 produced in response to this, the port (PRT1) 19 outputsremaining time data (S17). When an event signal EVT_13 is input to theevent link controller 6, the data transfer control circuit (DTC) 3receives a start signal STR_13 produced in response to this, andtransfers the subsequent digit-indication control data on the RAM to theport data buffer register of the port (PRT2) 20. In synchronization withthe termination of the transfer, the data transfer control circuit 3 ismade to output an event signal EVT_20 to the event link controller 6. Onreceipt of a start control signal STR_20 produced in response to this,the port (PRT2) 20 outputs a digit-indication control data (S18). Theremaining time display control at Steps S17 and S18 is classified intothe same type of display control as that in the case of dynamic lightingof two or more digits as described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23.

With the laundry machine as described above, as the event linkcontroller 6 and the interrupt controller 13 are adopted, the followingare made possible in the process including acquiring a rotorposition-detecting signal, producing subsequent motor drive data basedon the rotor position-detecting signal thus acquired, and supplying theproduced motor drive data and remaining time display data: toparallelize processes to respond to two or more events; to speed up theresponse to occurrence of an event; and to reduce the load on the CPU 2in responding to occurrence of an event. Therefore, the efficiency ofdata processing of the laundry machine can be increased on the whole.The efficiency of data processing in key input control can be increasedby adopting the interrupt controller 13 and event link controller 6.

While the invention made by the inventor has been described above basedon the embodiments specifically, the invention is not so limited. It isneedless to say that various modifications and changes may be madewithout departing from the subject matter hereof.

The invention is, for instance, applicable to not only a microcomputerbut also a microprocessor, a data processor and the like.

For example, the types of the circuit modules, the configuration of thebus of the microcomputer, the kinds of events output by the circuitmodules, the detail of an operation to respond to a direction for start,etc. may be changed appropriately.

1-29. (canceled)
 30. A data processor comprising: a central processingunit configured to execute instructions; a plurality of circuit modulesoperatively coupled to the central processing unit; a first controllerwhich outputs an interrupt request to the central processing unit basedon an event signal; and a second controller which outputs a startcontrol signal to each said circuit module based on the event signal,wherein each said circuit module can produce the event signal, whereinthe second controller has a multiplexer and an operation select circuit,wherein the multiplexer receives inputs of a plurality of said eventsignals, and selects from among said input event signals, one of saidevent signals based on a value of a connection set register, wherein theoperation select circuit which receives the selected event signalproduces a start control signal for the plurality of circuit modulesbased on a value of an operation set register, and generates a startcontrol signal, and wherein, upon receiving the event signal from one ofthe plurality of circuit modules, the second controller outputs a startcontrol signal which causes one of the circuit modules to perform agiven operation.
 31. The data processor of claim 30, wherein the secondcontroller has an event enable register, and wherein the event enableregister is used to store information for data disabling of outputs ofthe multiplexers depending on a value of said stored information. 32.The data process of claim 31, wherein the first controller has aninterrupt enable flag, and wherein the interrupt enable flag is used tostore information for a request which disable outputs of the firstcontroller depending on a value of said stored information.
 33. The dataprocessor of claim 30, wherein settings of the connection set registerand the operation set register are set by the central processing unit.34. A data processor comprising: a central processing unit configured toexecute instructions; a plurality of circuit modules operatively coupledto the central processing unit; a first controller which outputs aninterrupt request to the central processing unit based on an eventsignal and values of a first register; and a second controller registerwhich outputs a start control signal to each said circuit module basedon the event signal and one of a plurality of values of a secondregister, wherein each said circuit module can produce the event signal,wherein the first register is used to store information for datadisabling of outputs of the first controller depending on a value ofsaid stored information, wherein the second register is used to storeinformation for data disabling of outputs of the second controllerdepending on a value of said stored information, wherein, upon receivinga first event signal from a first one of the plurality of circuitmodules, the second controller outputs a first start control signalwhich causes a second one of the circuit modules to perform a givenoperation, and wherein, upon receiving a second event signal produced inresponse to completion of a given operation from the second circuitmodule, the second controller outputs a second start control signalwhich causes a third one of said circuit modules to output data to anoutside of the data processor.